The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-02-24

tage, we do not believe there would be insu-g
perable difficulties to fair manly and hon
orable adjustment of the whole vexatious
question. and Virginia placed in position
to move forward in the path of progress
and prosperity AS it is now, every inter-
est of the State and people is suffering
With natural resources and attractions UNI
surpassed, we are tagging superflnous on
the stage Of public affairs-inviting and
receiving distrust, discredit and aversion.
The tide of prosperity is passing US by,
when 1T would willingly and gladly stop
with US, but for the complications, litiga-
lions, embarrassments, and harrassments
growing out of the efforts to deny the
binding force of fundamental law and to
nulIify the decisions of the highest judi
cial tribunal Of the country. There is NO
way to escape from the present situation,
except by increased taxation or compro-
mise. Reputation, which has been
threatened by desperate demagogues. is
an impossibility. so long as the govern
ment stands and law is respected and en-
forced. The coupons, the Courts say, con
stitute a contract, the violation of which
the Constitution prohibits. The bonds are
not due, and cannot be reached until de-
mand is made for their payment. So even
if there were sentiment in the State to
seriously threaten reputation, which
there is not, proposition of that kind
would only expose the venality and dis
honesty of those proposing it. without
any relief from its practical enforce
ment.
The people of Virginia cannot afford to
longer daily with this vital question:
They cannot longer listen to the insane
rantings and vulgar mouthings of de-
signing demagogues, who care for nothing
but partizan advantage. They must take
hold Of the matter themselves : familiar
ize themselves with its true condition, train
their minds up to decisive conclusions
and address themselves to fair, honora-
bic and manly solution of the difficulty.
This they can do. and this it is their duty
to do, as well to themselves as to their
children. And when the proper time
comes meet the issue bravely and fearless
ly. and in the light.of their obligations, as
citizens of country Of law and public
morally.
The creditors base their claim upon the
statement Of the debt by the representa-
tives of the people delegated to legislate
for them on all subjects. They are not
to blame for that statement. The bond S
they hold were issued upon the basis of
that statement made by those authorized
to speak for the State. If there was fault
in that, as we believe there was. it was
the States fault, through the General AS.
sembly of 1871. They were invited to ac-
cept the terms Of that legislation by those
protesting to speak for Virginia. If there
was treachery or injustice it was the re-
suit of the legislation of those entrusted
to care for the Commonwealth. They
Committed the wrong. Now let there be
shown and manifested a proper spirit in
considering the differences between what
the creditors claim and the State at one
time conceded, and what is now asserted,
to be the true debt, and we believe sat-
isfactory arrangement could lie made and
the whole difficulty amicably adjusted
But don't let the authorities of the State
go at the matter with drawn sword and
frothy impreeations. That is not the way to
solve MISUNDERSTANDING or dispose of Sc
rious differences. The creditors have ad
Indicated rights which have to be re-
spected. The people have interests to
subserve, consistent with justice to the
creditors, and essential to their welfare
Let common sense prevail and business
principles be invoked, and both parties to
the controversy may be satisfied and the
State emancipated from her present en-
barraSsments.